Dylan McDermott Returning To American Horror Story As Part Of Asylum Cast

American Horror Story: Asylum has been gearing up for tonight’s premiere date for weeks, but apparently the show has one last casting whammy to throw in our direction. Yet another first installment cast member is returning to play a part in Asylum, but this particular cast member might throw fans for a bit of a loop. Dylan McDermott—who played the late, not-so-great Ben Harmon in the first cycle--is coming back to FX’s hit drama.

Showrunner Ryan Murphy actually broke the news via Twitter this morning, simply stating he is “thrilled” to have the actor back on board. According to TV Line, no word has yet come out concerning what sort of character Harmon will be playing. Since Asylum is set decades before the events in American Horror Story, I think it’s a pretty safe bet Ben Harmon won’t be in the picture, but I’ve seen stranger things happen on that show.

McDermott joins a long list of guests stars and a shorter list of returning cast members from American Horror Story. We first learned Jessica Lange and Zachary Quinto would be returning to the show, and later Frances Conroy, Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, and Lily Rabe were also brought back.

FX’s American Horror Story: Asylum begins airing tonight at 10 p.m. ET.

Jessica Rawden
Managing Editor

Reality TV fan with a pinch of Disney fairy dust thrown in. Theme park junkie. If you’ve created a rom-com I’ve probably watched it.